Where is the green van man? Just 0.01 per cent of LGVs are ultra-low emission

Where is the green van man? Just 0.01 per cent of LGVs are ultra-low emission

New analysis from Direct Line for Business shows revelas that just 0.01 per cent of light goods vehicles on the road are ultra-low emission

Hampshire named ‘green’ van capital of the UK

Just 0.01 per cent light goods vehicles on the road are ultra-low emission vehicles (ULEV) with a CO2 emission below 75g/km

However, the number of these ‘green’ vehicles is increasing at a rate of 14.3 per cent a year

Three UK local authorities have no licensed ultra-low emission vehicles

London, 2016: New analysis by Van Insurance provider Direct Line for Business1 reveals ‘green’ vans represent just 0.01 per cent of the light goods vehicles on the road2. Of the 3.4 million
licensed light goods vehicles in the UK, just 4,534 are licensed ultra-low emission vehicles (ULEV) with a CO2 emission below 75g/km.

There is some good news for environmentalists seeking to reduce pollution and emissions, as the number of ULEV vehicles on UK roads is increasing year-on-year. ULEV are being licensed at an increasing rate of 14.3 per cent a year, rising from 3,729
in March 2014 to 4,263 in March 2015.

Of the UK’s local authorities, 121 have no more than ten licensed ULEV registered. A further 22 local authorities only have a single environmentally friendly vehicle registered and three local authorities in the UK, Larne, Limavady and the Shetland
Islands UA, have no registered ULEV light goods vehicles at all. And the whole of Wales has just 98 of these vehicles on the road.

Direct Line for Business’ analysis reveals Hampshire as the ‘green van’ capital of the UK. With 291 licensed ULEVs, Hampshire has 57 per cent more green vans than the second ranked local authority Birmingham which has 185. Peterborough
UA ranked third in the league table of local authorities, witnessing an increase of 3775.0% licensed ULEVs being registered between 2014 and 2015.

Table One: Top ten local authorities who have licensed ultra-low emission vehicles with a CO2 emission below 75g/km

Rank

Local Authority

Number of ultra-low emission vehicles registered 2015

1

Hampshire

291

2

Birmingham

185

3

Peterborough UA

164

4

Hounslow

140

5

Wiltshire UA

139

6

Bedford UA

124

7

Surrey

122

8

Staffordshire

108

9

Sefton

106

10

Worcestershire

106

Source: Direct Line for Business

Nick Breton, Head of Direct Line for Business said: “With over three million light goods vehicles on our roads, there is a significant opportunity to reduce emissions if we go green. We need to investigate what is stopping businesses
purchasing ‘green’ vans, which can be cheaper to run. It could be that businesses don’t yet feel there is a sufficient infrastructure in place to recharge, or that they take too long to power up, especially if vehicles need to make
long journeys across the country. Falling petrol prices could also be an additional barrier to these greener alternatives.”

The findings will make interesting reading for the Government’s Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV), which is committed to supporting the uptake of ULEVs. However the grants available for businesses do not appear to be spurring a huge uptake
in demand. Grants are available for up to 20% per cent off the purchase price of an electric ‘plug-in’ van up to a maximum of £8,000. Buyers can secure grants for electric vehicles (EVs), lug-in hybrid electric vehicles
(PHEVs) and those using hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. Subsidies can be secured for major brands such as Nissan, Mitsubishi, Peugeot and Citroen.

Notes to editors

1 Direct Line for Businesses’ analysis of data supplied in response to a Freedom of Information Act request issued to the DVLA. Findings highlight the number of licensed electric, hybrid ultra-low emission vehicles with a CO2 emission
below 75g/km by Local Authority. The information provides figures as at 31 March 2014, 31 March 2015 and the latest figures available at 30 September 2015.

Direct Line for Business

Launched in 2007 Direct Line for Business provides a range of insurance products for the small business sector direct by phone or on-line.

Direct Line for Business insurance policies are underwritten by U K Insurance Limited, Registered office: The Wharf, Neville Street, Leeds LS1 4AZ. Registered in England and Wales No 1179980. U K Insurance Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation
Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.

Direct Line for Business and U K Insurance Limited are both part of Direct Line Insurance Group plc.